Flashlight safety switch



May 31, 1932. G. B. PRATT FLASH LIGHT SAFETY SWITCH Filed April 16,' 1930 2 Sheets-Sheet l .Y u .LLL

Snom/tot 000E/CH B. PRATT May 3l, 1932. G. B. PRATT FLASH LIGHT SAFETY SWITCH Filed April 16, 1930 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 FIGA,

mvemtoz GOODR/CH 5. PRATT Patented May 31, 1932 UNITED lSTATES PATENT OFFICE GO'ODRICI-I B. PRATT, 0F JERSEY CITY, NEW JERSEY, ASSIGNOR TO BOND ELECTRIC CORPORATION, F JERSEY CITY, NEW JERSEY, A CORPORATION 0F DELAWARE FLASHLIGHT SAFETY SWITCH Application led April 16,

The present invention relates to flash lamps and embodies, more specifically, an improved switch structure for such lamps, the elements thereof being so designed and constructed as to provide for flashing of the lamp as well as a steady illumination thereof. In the oft' position, the parts of the switch are effectively locked against accidental manipulation, thus insuring illumination of the lamp only when the switch is correctly operated by hand.

Among the many switches now available on flash lamps there are forms which provider locking means whereby the switch is locked in an oft position. Other forms aord 15 means for restraining the switch from movement when in such off position, after the initial movement of which, the restraining force no longer acts and the switch is freely operated. The disadvantage of the last named form is that the restraining force is frequently accidentally overcome and the switch is closed, thus needlessly using the flash lamp battery and shortening the life thereof.

lNhere the lamp is placed in tool kits, etc., accidental lighting thereof frequently occurs dueto engagement of the'switch with projecting corners and the like. Unless .the switch is positively locked in its off position no assurance is had that it will not be closed accidentally in the aforesaid fashion.

Existing structures which positively lock the switch in its off position have been found to be difficult and costly to manufacture and .the parts thereof are not sufficiently strong o and simple to withstand the stresses and strains imposed thereon in use. It will therefore be seen that there is need for a switch for fiash lamps which is simple of construc- 40 tion and affords the plurality of switching positions noted above, as well as an off position in which the movable parts are positively locked.

An object of the invention, accordingly, is

to provide a switch for flash lamps which is 1930. Serial No. 444,664.

eectively locked against accidental operation when in its off position.

A further object of the invention is to provide a switch of the above character which provides switching positions in which the lamp may be flashed intermittently or illuminated steadily.

A further object of the invention is to provide a switch of the above character in which the parts are simple of construction and readily assembled.

Further objects, not specifically enumerated above, will be apparent as the invention is described in greater detail in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure l is a view in longitudinal section, taken through the aXis of a flash lamp constructed in accordance with the present invention.

Figure 2 is a segmental plan view showing the flash lamp switch of Figure l.

Figure 3 is a view in section, taken on line 5%#3 of Figure 2, and looking in the direction of the arrows, the switch being shown in its locked position.

Figure et is a view in section, similar to Figure 3, showing the switch closed for flashing the lamp.

Figure 5 is a view in section, similar to Figure 3, showing the switch moved into its steady illuminating position.

Figure 6 is a view in section, taken on line (3*6 of Figure 3, and looking in the direction of the arrows.

Figure 7 is a view in section, taken on line 7-7 of Figure Li, and looking in the direction of the arrows.

Figure 8 is a view in section, taken on line 8--8 of Figure 3, and looking in the direction of the arrows.

Referring to the above drawings, a flash lamp shell or tube is shown at 1 having a bottom cap 2 and a hood 3. A battery 4 is carried within the tube and engages, at its central terminal 5, a spring contact 6 which is connected to the central terminal of bulb 7. The circuit through this bulb is completed to a conducting plate 8 which is carried by a securing flange 9 to which an upper contact strip 10 is connected.

j The shell of the battery is connected to the bottom cap 2 through a spring contact member 11 and the battery circuit is completed through the bottom Contact strip 12. The

foregoing construction is of conventional type and forms no part of the present invention.

Secured to the tube 1 by means of eyelets 13 is a contact box 14 which is formed with 15 flanges 15 curved to conform to the surface of the tube 1. These fianges reecive the eyelets 13 which thus secure the contact box in a desired position upon the flash lamp.

Upon the top of the contact box, four parallel slots 16 are formed. Between two of these slots is a transverse locking slot 17, the purpose of which will appear hereinafter. The upper contact strip 10 is secured to the tube 1 at its lower end by an eyelet 18 which is located within the contact box 14. The bottom contact strip 12 is secured under an eyelet 13 and thus is in electrical communication with the contact box.

Within the contact box, a spring contact arm 19 is received, eyelet 20 securing such arm to the underside of the box. The arm preferably extends forwardly and the contacting extremity 20a thereof lies over the eyelet 18. Intermediate the ends of contact strip 19 a button 21 is secured. This button projects through an aperture 22 in the contact box 14 and is adapted to be engaged by a lever described hereinafter. It will thus be seen that the contact arm 19 may be flexed downwardly to engage the eyelet 18 to effect the desired operation of the flash lamp.

Slidably secured upon the contact box 14 is a slide 23 having an enlarged preferably rectangular raised portion 24 intermediate the ends thereof. The ends of the slide are preferably raised to afford a space between the top portion of the slide and the contact box. Within one of these end spaces the rivet 20 is received while the other space communicates directly with the transverse slot 17. The intermediate raised portion forms a rib and well about the aperture 22 and thus protects the button 21 from accidental depression. Suitable flanges 25 are formed on the sidewalls of the end port-ions of the slide and. are adapted to be received within the parallel slots 16 and the ends thereof turned under as clearly shown in Figure 8. In this manner, the slide may be moved a limited amount along the surface of the Contact box to effect the operation described hereinafter.

One of the walls of the well formed by the raised rib 24 is cut away as at 26 to receive the notched portion 27 of an actuating lever 28. "J The forward extremity 29 of this lever is formed with a detent 30 which is adapted to engage the transverse slot 17 In the off position of the switch, the spring contact arm 19 forces the button 21 upwardly and moves the lever 28 about the edge 26 of slide 23 as a fulcrum to force the detent 30 into the transverse slot 17, as shown in Figure 3. In this manner, the switch is locked against movement and the lever 28 is protected by the raised rib 24.

If it is desired to flash the lamp, the lever 28 is depressed, thus forcing down the button 21 and causing the contacting extremity 20a'l of the lever 19 to engage the eyelet 18. This is clearly shown in Figure 4.

If a. steady light is desired, the lever 28 is depressed and pushed forwardly, thus moving the slide 23 and lever 28 into the position shown in Figure In this position, the detent 30 engages the upper surface of the contact box 14 and maintains the button 21 in a depressed condition to hold the switch closed.

From the foregoing, it will be apparent that the electrical circuit of the flash lamp cannot be maintained steadily closed without advancing the slide 23 forwardly until the detent 30 is clear of the transverse slot 17. After the slide has been moved a sufficient distance, the contact arm reaches its closed position and the circuit is held closed. If momentary or intermittent flashing of the lamp is desired, the lever 28 is depressed to move the contact arm downwardly into its closed position as clearly shown in Figure 4. The contact arm is secured to the contact box before mounting the slidev 23 thereon, the lever 28 being secured in position simultaneously with the securing of the slide 23 on the contact box. It will thus be seen that the parts of the switch are few in number and simple of construction, being readily mounted to function effectively and being fully capable of sustaining the stresses and strains imposed upon such mechanism in use.

While the invention has been described with specific reference to the accompanying drawings, it is not to be limited, save as defined in the appended claims.

I claim as my invention:

1. A device of the character described comprising a contact box. aresilient contact arm carried thereby, a slide on the box formed with a well communicating with the box, a recess in the box, a button on the arm extending through the recess and into the well, the well being large to permit relative movement between the stationary button and movable well, and means within the well and engaging the bottom to actuate the arm.

2. Adevice of the character described comprising a contact box, a resilient contact arm carried thereby, a slide on the box formed with a well, mea-ns in the well to actuate the arm, a raised portion on the slide, the well being large to permit relative movement between the means and the movable Well, and locking means Within the raised portion.

3. A device of the character described comprising al contact box, a resilient Contact arm in the box, means to secure the arm to the box, a slide on the box formed With a Well, means in the Well to actuate the arm, the Well being large to permit relative movement between the means and the movable Well, and a raised portion on the slide enclosing the arm securing means.

4. A device of the character described comprising a contact box, a resilient contact arm in the box, means to secure the arm to the box, a slide on the box formed With a Well, means in the Well to actuate the arm, locking means carried by the slide, and raised portions on the slide housing the arm securing means and locking means.

5. A device of the character described comprising a contact box, a resilient contact arm in the box, means to secure the arm to the box, a slide on the box formed vvith a Well, means in the Well to actuate the arm, locking means carried by the slide, and raised portions spaced upon opposite sides of the Well and housing the arm securing means and locking means.

6. A device of the character described comprising a contact box, a resilient contact arm in the box, means to sec-ure the arm to the box, a slide on the box formed With a well, means in the Well to actuate the arm, locking means carried by the slide, a protective rib on the slide about the Well, and raised portions spaced upon opposite sides of the Well and extending therefrom housing the arm securing means and locking means.

7. A device of the character described comprising a contact box, a resilient contact arm carried thereby, a button on the arm extending through an aperture in the box, a slide on the box, a Well in the slide relatively larger than the button to permit movement of the Well relatively to the button, a lever carried by the slide and having a camming extension engaging the button, a recess in the box under the slide, and an extension on the lever Within the slide to maintain the button depressed When the slide is moved from a normal locked position.

8. A device of the character described comprising a contact box, a resilient contact arm carried thereby, a button on the arm extending through an aperture in the box, a slide on the box, a. Well in the slide relatively larger than the button to permit movement of the Well relatively to the button, a lever carried by the slide and extending into the Well, a camming extension upon the lever engaging the button, and an extension on the lever within the slide to maintain the button depressed When the slide is moved from a nor- 5 mal locked position. 

